Son wants a $400 Lego set

[Carlyzmom]

Would this be completely insane? It's the Lego Star Wars Death Star set. It's $399.99. He REALLY wants it! He asked for it for his birthday, but I don't spend that much on birthdays. I just don't know if it is responsible to spend that much on ONE toy!! But he sure would FREAK out of he got it! What would you do?

P.S. He did tell me that he was going to ask Santa for it too!

 

[Hannathy]

If he is young enough to believe in Santa no. My DS and I talked about this when it came out and he said that is for the guys who love Legos and Star Wars and are out of college working and have extra money! and they want to have it sit in their offices or for decoration at home. And don't have a new gaming system to buy!

I totally agree, it isn't for playing it is for collecting or displaying. My friends son and his wife are thinking about getting it and they are in their mid twenties.

It is really neat but again not to play with only to look at. Tell him to grow up go to college get a decent job and buy it himself.

PS that is what I told my son.

 

[java]

My boys have been asking for this. Then I realized they only like it for all the guys it came with. So instead I bought the star wars magnets- (the guys come off) and they like those and play with them.
At their ages 8 and 5- most legos get built then taken apart within the same day and end up in the tupperware dumping zone of legos. I figure they can buy that when they get jobs. (Or when it goes majorly on sale) I have to say I HATE the way Lego does black friday- you get a scratch off card with a % off- only you don't know what % until you've already went through check out. So it's hard to risk the $400 hoping for that 50% off.

 

[scrapquitler]

How old is he? What other kind of stuff does he have? what kind of budget do you have?

Because if you think about it...would you be freaking out if he asked for an Xbox, PS3 or Wii? By the time you buy the system, a couple games, the controllers, etc, you are well into that price range. What about if he asked for an Itouch or a laptop? Again, same price range.... What if he wanted to go on a ski trip or wanted new ski equipment?

If he really wants this, and it's in your price range, and you know it would make him happier than anything elsde would...is there really any reason why not?

 

[rie'smom]

If it's what he wants and you can afford it, why not? With my kids, I blinked and they were grown. I so miss the days when we played Legos together.

 

[Art 1]

I would buy for him.

 

[CathrynRose]

I would probably get it for him, too.

BUT - (please see thread about children breaking your heart)

 

[Rora]

We couldn't afford it.

I probably wouldn't buy it for my child even if I could afford it but I'm not a mother (yet). It's probably a lot harder to say no when it's your cute, sweet kid!

 

[minkydog]

I would probably get it for him, too.

BUT - (please see thread about children breaking your heart)

Yes, please! And while you've got your checkbook out, can i have a pony?

 

[Robinrs]

$400 for LEGOS????? Do they walk the dog, wash dishes and clean the bathroom?

Sorry, honey, Santa said the elves aren't making any legos this year.

 

[peabody58]

I've got at least $1000 of Lego's in the attic from my kids growing up years!! I remember freaking out at $110 for a Lego train set my DD just had to have.

 

[AnnetteF]

I totally understand your feelings on the price - my DD is 6 and asked for Lanie's Camper from American girl. This is a $295 item. At first I also freaked out, but when I really started to think about it, I can't imagine any other toy that would bring a big reaction from her on Christmas morning and honestly, I don't know what else to get her that is in any way special. So I decided to go ahead and get it. That will be her big gift. And the others are going to be just a few smaller craft type items (she really wants one of those potholder looms ). When I really started to think about it, I would spend about that much anyway, but there would probably be a lot more smaller toys which are "plastic crap" that will inevitably wind up floating all over my house.
I would much rather spend the money on one nice toy of good quality that I know she will enjoy playing with with her dolls. As a bonus, it is not a high tech toy like an xbox or wii where she will be glued to video games all day - it is something that will require her to use her imagination to play with, and I think the same can be said for a big set of Legos. Of course, I don't know what effect this will have on your budget, and only you know if it is possible for you. I'm fortunate that DD is my only one and we are able to swing it. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[C.Ann]

Much as I hate to say it, if money were no object? Yes - I would get it..

There - I said it!!! LOL.. (And it was hard - because I'm a tight wad..)

Or maybe it's just because I'm feeling a little down about the holidays this year because DGD just turned 12 and the "little kid" jumping out of their skin when they get that AWESOME toy is going to be a thing of the past..

There's nothing in the world like watching "little ones" on Christmas morning!

 

[AnnetteF]

Much as I hate to say it, if money were no object? Yes - I would get it..

There - I said it!!! LOL.. (And it was hard - because I'm a tight wad..)

Or maybe it's just because I'm feeling a little down about the holidays this year because DGD just turned 12 and the "little kid" jumping out of their skin when they get that AWESOME toy is going to be a thing of the past..

There's nothing in the world like watching "little ones" on Christmas morning!

This is so true!!!

 

[Pinkpony]

Would this be completely insane? It's the Lego Star Wars Death Star set. It's $399.99. He REALLY wants it! He asked for it for his birthday, but I don't spend that much on birthdays. I just don't know if it is responsible to spend that much on ONE toy!! But he sure would FREAK out of he got it! What would you do?

P.S. He did tell me that he was going to ask Santa for it too!

If you can afford it, absolutely! I bought similar sets for my oldest DH (now 26). He spent hours and hours building things with Legos, big and small. He now owns his own company, designing and remodeling homes and outdoor kitchens. Even in tough economic times, he's busier than ever, and I can't help but think his start with Legos had at least a little to do with his creativity and success.

 

[NotUrsula]

My rule on any toy or entertainment gadget that is over $100 is that I will match funds. If he really wants it that badly then he will be willing to do what is necessary to scrape up the cash.

Most of the time I find that the amount of effort and willpower involved in earning and saving the necessary money somehow makes the item less of a necessity, but every once in a while he buckles down and does it, in which case he gets his wish.

This year the object of desire is an iPod Touch. He claims that he is the only single person in the 8th grade who doesn't have one (and if he doesn't curb his appetite for after-school Subway sandwiches he's going to stay the only person in the 8th grade who doesn't have one.)

(The other one is still in preschool; she doesn't yet run to $100+ gift requests.)

PS: DS did build himself a Death Star using the various SW lego pieces that he already had. He used regular colored bricks for the core, and used white, grey and black pieces for the outer hull. It's a bit smaller than the kit version, but he's very proud of having figured out the build. He's 13.

 

[Robinrs]

If you can afford it, absolutely! I bought similar sets for my oldest DH (now 26). He spent hours and hours building things with Legos, big and small. He now owns his own company, designing and remodeling homes and outdoor kitchens. Even in tough economic times, he's busier than ever, and I can't help but think his start with Legos had at least a little to do with his creativity and success.

Best reason EVER!!

My son never liked Legos growing up so I never got the appeal. If they can be a part of a bigger picture I'm all for it!

 

[Carlyzmom]

THANKS everyone for the awesome input. Yes, last year the kids got a Wii. THey hardly play with it. He does play with legos - a lot! He is 7 and has a great imagination. There really isn't a "big" gift for this year. They don't need bikes, or any kind of electronics, so this would be the BIG thing.
Yes, I do have the money, but that is a BIG chunk to part with on ONE gift. Guess I will talk it over with DH and see what he thinks. We are thinking about getting a guitar for DD 9, so that would be their "big" things this year.

 

[monorailsilver]

If it is for his birthday can you ask family for $$$ instead of gifts because he wants to get that Lego set?

I did that one year. My family does not have issues with just giving money. They always ask what to get my kids so one year I said just give some money because he wants a Gator & that is what he got. He had it for his birthday party so he got to ride it around with all the family watching him.

 

[scottishduffy]

My older brother was an absolute Lego freak as a kid. Even into his teen years he would still build elaborate lego set ups to display in his room. He got them hooked up with electrical circuits and everything!

If I had a child who casually enjoyed Lego's then probably not. If the kid was a Lego freak like my brother, I absolutely would do it! My parents still have several thousand dollars worth of legos in the attic, and plan to give them all back to brother when my nephew is old enough. Of course my brother is already training him with Duplos.

If the toy will be appreciated and will get good use then go for it. It sounds like it has been a consistent wish of his for a while.

P.S I suppose it worked into his future life as Brother became an engineer!